Estimate of the probability of a lightning strike to the Galileo probe

Abstract

reaction layer thickness as long as the rate of burning during the pulse is fast enough. A plot of peak pressure vs reaction, layer thickness, also shown in Fig. 3, exhibits a remarkably good linearity.Experiments conducted at higher levels of K, but at comparable L*-range, have shown that the chuffing frequency is nearly the same, but that the peak pressure level increases with K (resembling the steady-state behavior of the rocket). The L*-K (or equivalent chamber pressure) boundary for transition from chuffing to stable combustion is similar to the ones identified by earlier workers. 6 ' 7 ConclusionsFrom the results of the experiments conducted to study the chuffing behavior in composite propellants, it can be concluded that the frequency of chuffing and the pressure amplitudes vary systematically with L*. The experiments have enabled the measurement of reaction layer thickness at different L* ranges. The level of L* seems to influence the reaction layer thickness, which gives rise to a definite pressure pulse for sufficiently low values of K. Any description of chuffing, therefore, must consider motor characteristics such as L* and K in addition to the condensed phase processes.

A Low-Cost Launch Assistance System for Orbital Launch Vehicles

“…Exhaust plume of rocket vehicle starting its engines near the top of the ropes may provide a conductive connection between the rope itself and surrounding air. Lightning triggered by launch vehicle exhaust plume is known phenomenon [71,72] and was detected first during the launch of the Apollo-12. Another promising ropes material is the polyamide (Kevlar).…”